No.

15

No.
15 Care and survey of hatch covers of dry
(1986)
cargo ships - Guidance to owners (Rev. 1
1.

Introduction

1.1

Loss of weathertight integrity continues to be a constant factor leading to cargo damage which
could result in a threat to the safety of the crew, the ship and its cargoes, despite advances in
modern shipbuilding technology, construction, navigation and means of preventing ingress of
water into hold spaces.

1.2

We need only to look at cargo insurance claims to recognise the continued prominence of this
problem and the vigilance required from crews to ensure that instances of cargoes being spoiled as
a result of water ingress through hatch openings are minimised.

1.3

Although condensation can cause water to collect in holds, it is the problem of water entering into
cargo holds through the hold openings as a result of badly maintained or damaged closing
arrangements that this paper addresses.

1.4

The Classification Societies are concerned with this problem in particular through the Load Line
Convention. The experience of the Classification Societies confirms the importance of hatch cover
weathertightness and the reports of survey - class surveys as well as Load Line surveys - contain
frequent references to lack of maintenance of weathertightness of hatch covers.

1.5

Where there is any doubt in applying this Guideline, clarification should be obtained from the
individual Classification Society. Attention is directed to the separate published Rules of each
Society. This Guideline is not meant as a substitute for the Society's Rules or the independent
judgement and experience of Owners and Surveyors.

1989)
(Rev. 2
1997)

15-1

IACS Rec. 1986/Rev 2 1997

No. 15

No.
15
cont'd

2.

Contributing factors to leaking covers

Lack of weathertightness may be attributed to several causes, which can be classed within two
different types:

2.1

Those which result from the normal use of the hatch cover system, such as deformation of the hatch
coaming or hatch cover due to impact, or the normal wear-and-tear of the cleating arrangement,
which may be corrected only through extensive repairs or overhauls.

2.2

Those which result from the lack of proper maintenance: corrosion of plating due to lack of
protection against corrosion, lack of adequate lubrication of moving parts, non-replacement of old
gaskets, use of cleats and gaskets which do not comply with the standards specified by the hatch
cover manufacturer and inappropriate repairs.

3.

What can be done to reduce leakages of hatch covers?

3.1

The Classification Society Rule requirements for the construction and inspection of hatch covers,
cannot, alone, ensure that the hatch covers will be adequate at all times; improvement in the
performance of hatch covers can be achieved only through an effort by all parties concerned, which
will involve:

(a)
(b)

owners, masters and crew in effective maintenance;

feed back to the manufacturers and Classification Societies for improvement in original design
specifications;
close and detailed inspections by Classification Society Surveyors.

(c)
3.2

The hatch covers designers should, perhaps, give less thought to the sophistication of the systems
and more to the sturdiness of the equipment, the ease of operation and the convenience of
maintenance. Adequate protection of the steel work should be ensured with high quality coatings,
or, alternatively, corrosion-resistant materials should be used.

3.3

The shipowners and their crews should apply a programme of maintenance to ensure that the steel
is not allowed to corrode, gaskets are periodically replaced, movable parts are kept properly
lubricated and fittings periodically overhauled. The crew should also make sure, at each operation
of the hatch covers, that the covers are sufficiently clean, especially at bearing surfaces, and that the
drainage holes are clear.
Since most problems occur at the peripheral and cross-joint gaskets, very strict control of the
condition of the components involved must be applied. This will involve not only the rubber but
the compression bars, the locking devices, the cleating, load bearing surfaces, and the general
condition of the coaming top plate.
In addition, in cases where the hatch panels are moved by hydraulic means then the manufacturer's
maintenance procedures must be adhered to in all respects.
When hydraulic cleating or securing is arranged, means are to be provided to ensure that the covers
remain closed and weathertight in the event of hydraulic failure.
The crew should however bear in mind that in extreme cases hatch cover protection may have to be
complemented by means of tarpaulins or adhesive tapes. This is a decision to be made by the
Master taking into account the nature of the cargo, expected sea-conditions, uneven loaddistribution on hatch covers and, above all, previous experience in similar circumstances. The use
of tarpaulins on mechanically operated steel covers must be considered an emergency temporary
measure.

3.5

Containers and cargoes should not be stowed on hatch covers unless they have been designed for
such carriage.

3.4

15-2

IACS Rec. 1989/Rev 2 1997

No. 15

No.
15
cont'd

Additionally, correct and adequate lashing systems are to be used at all times when stowing
cargoes; this is equally important for cargoes stowed on tween deck covers and that battening down
devices are correctly used to the hatch covers at the same time.
3.6

All securing devices should be checked and tightened by the crew as appropriate especially in case
where their ships may be subjected to unusually rough seas.

3.7

The crew should also make sure that not only the deck cargo, but also the derricks, etc. are properly
stowed and secured so that they will not be dislodged in a seaway and cause damage to hatch
covers.

3.8

The appropriate manufacturer's instructions with respect to the safe operation, inspection,
maintenance and repair of the type of the hatch cover fitted on the ship should be complied with in
all respects.
To this end a "Record of the Maintenance of Hatch Covers" should also be provided by the
Manufacturer together with the operation and maintenance manual to assist owners to carry out the
appropriate maintenance.
What is IACS doing?

4.1

Traditionally, hatch covers and hatch coamings are inspected every year, as prescribed in Article 14
of the Load Line Convention of 1966. This inspection is normally carried out by the Surveyor of
the Classification Society at the same time as the Class Annual Survey, the scope of which is not
much different as far as the closing appliances are concerned.

4.2

These inspections are usually carried out in port, while the ship is in operation, and very often
working cargo; their primary purpose being to ensure that no alterations have been made to the ship
which may affect the load line, and that the fittings and appliances for the protection of openings
are maintained in an effective condition.

4.3

This is only possible if a detailed examination of the hatch covers and fittings, which necessitate the
actual operation (closing and opening) of hatch covers, is carried out by Surveyors. Hose testing
should be carried out whenever the Surveyor is in doubt as to the weathertightness of a hatch cover.
Alternative methods of tightness may be considered.

4.4

The Surveyor can only assess the actual condition of the hatch covers at the time of survey and, in
between two inspections, the proper maintenance of the hatch covers must remain the responsibility
of the owner, master and crew.

4.5

Confronted with an increase in the number of reported cargo damages, the Classification Societies,
members of IACS, have decided to review the survey procedures issued to their Surveyors for the
survey of hatch covers and coamings.

4.6

A unified requirement prepared and approved by the Council of the Association during their June
1985 Meeting has been revised. This revised unified requirement Z4 "Survey of Hatch Covers and
Coamings", which will be updated as the necessity arises, is herewith enclosed for reference.

5.

Defects to hatch covers and coamings

5.1

The purpose of this Section is to review the various types of defect found in hatch covers, which for
the most part are caused by a lack of proper maintenance or by improper operation.

5.2

Some defects affecting the weathertightness of hatch covers can be attributed to their design. Such
defects, a very small percentage of all defects found, are not dealt with here. The crew should be
attentive to them and report accordingly for eventual discussion with the designers and the
Classification Societies.

4.

15-3

IACS Rec. 1989/ Rev 2 1997

No. 15

No.
15
cont'd

5.3

Hatch cover design

A hatch cover design may be categorised as being one of three general types:

mechanically operated steel covers, of folding, sliding, rolling, etc. types, fitted with gaskets
and clamping devices;
steel pontoon covers with tarpaulins and battening devices or with gaskets and cleats;
portable covers with tarpaulins and battening devices (usually wooden covers).

All types of hatch covers are basically of robust construction; under normal conditions of care and
operation they are fully adequate for their intended purpose.
5.4

Damages to hatch covers

5.4.1 Mechanically operated steel covers are affected by:

corrosion, which attacks the integrity of the cover itself and which also affects the moving
parts (wheels and rails, hinges between panels, cleats and batten screws, etc.);
deformation caused by faulty handling, shocks from cargo being handled (especially logs and
heavy loads), wear-and-tear on gaskets, and overloading with deck cargo;
incorrect maintenance, inadequate maintenance, incorrect repair, lack of adjustment, incorrect
operation;
incorrect and inadequate maintenance of the power system of the hatch covers i.e.
hydraulic and electric systems and safety devices.

5.4.2 Wooden covers, steel pontoons and tarpaulins are affected:

5.5

mainly by poor handling and bad stowage.

Portable beams also are frequently deformed by rough handling and their locking devices have
always been a source of considerable trouble due to lack of care in handling.

Damages to hatch coamings

Hatch coamings are affected by the following factors and defects:

corrosion aggravated by the presence of piping systems, utilising coamings as protection and
support, thus preventing normal access to the plating for painting;
deformation, both of the plating and of the various supporting members and brackets, mostly
due to cargo handling and aggravated by general corrosion;
build up of scale, rust, and cargo debris causing the blockage of drains, and the incorrect
support of the hatch covers;
fret and wear caused by incorrect adjustment of battening devices which in turn causes side
plate failures, cracking and stay buckling.

Consequences:
All such defects can be considered as due to repetitive accidental causes, which for various reasons
- cost or lack of facilities for instance - are not immediately repaired.
Crew's examination of hatch covers and coamings

6.1

Routine checks by the crew of hatch covers, gaskets and hatch coamings is the responsibility of the
Owner, master and crew. The inspections and surveys carried out by the Classification Society
and/or the Administration at yearly intervals are not intended to and cannot replace these routine
checks and proper maintenance.

6.

15-4

IACS Rec. 1989/ Rev 2 1997

No. 15

No.
15
cont'd

NOTE:
The hatch covers and hatch coamings of ships engaged in the trade of carrying timber or heavy
parcels, also those of ships carrying deck cargoes such as containers on top of hatch covers, are
likely to suffer very rapidly from excessive deformations. The Owners should be aware that the
weathertightness of such hatch covers is difficult to maintain in service, and that, in consequence,
the greatest care should be exercised in the periodical checking of these hatch covers and coamings,
in particular when the vessel changes its trading pattern.
6.1.1 A thorough examination should include:
Checking that the Record of conditions of the freeboard assignment is available; the Record itself is
used when necessary to guide the checking.
Checking that significant changes not approved by the Classification Society have not been made to
the hatch covers, hatch coamings and their securing and sealing devices.
6.1.2

Hatch covers and coamings

6.1.2.1

Where mechanically-operated steel covers are fitted, checking the satisfactory condition of:

6.1.2.2

hatch covers (corrosion, cracks, deformations);

tightness devices of longitudinal, transverse and intermediate cross junctions (gaskets, gasket
lips, compression bars, drainage channels);
clamping devices, retaining bars, cleating;
chain or rope pulleys;
guides;
guide rails and track wheels;
stoppers, etc;
wires, chains, tensioners and gypsies;
hydraulic system, electrical safety devices, and interlocks;
end and interpanel hinges, pins and stools;
ramp profiles, and stowage area;
backup structure of wheels, guides and hinges.
Where portable covers or steel pontoons are fitted, checking the satisfactory condition of:
Wooden covers and portable beams, carriers or sockets for the portable beams, and their
securing devices;
steel pontoons;
tarpaulins;
cleats, battens and wedges;
hatch securing bars and their securing devices;
loading pads/bars and the side plate edge;
guide plates, and chocks;
compression bars, drainage channels, and drain pipes.

6.1.3 Checking of the satisfactory operation of mechanically operated hatch covers:

stowage and securing in open condition;

proper fit, locking and efficiency of sealing devices in the closed condition;
leakage of cylinders and hydraulic piping;

6.1.4 And checking the satisfactory condition of hatch coamings (corrosion, deformations of plating and
supporting members and brackets, connection to deck).

15-5

IACS Rec. 1989/Rev. 2 1997

No. 15

No.
15
cont'd

6.1.5 Spare parts

6.1.5.1

When hatches are fitted with mechanically operated steel covers checking the satisfactory
condition and number of:

spare rubber gasket material (sufficient to renew all cross-joints and peripheral joints of a
single hatch);
spare wheels;
spare seal kits;
spare sealant/adhesive;
spare cleats;
spare for hydraulic systems.

6.1.5.2

When hatches are fitted with portable covers or steel pontoons checking the satisfactory
condition and number of:
spare wooden covers;
spare wedges;
spare tarpaulins;
spare cleats.

Annex to Care and survey of hatch covers of

dry cargo ships - Guidance to owners IACS Requirement Z4. (Rev. 2 1996, V2.1)
Z4.1 Hatch covers, hatch coamings and their securing and sealing devices shall be submitted to surveys
as detailed in Z4.2 and Z4.3.
Z4.2 Annual surveys at yearly intervals (the Anniversary date according to the Class and Load Line
Certificate plus or minus three months whether the ship is under continuous survey or not). They will
normally be performed as part of the annual load line inspection.
The scope of annual surveys of hatch covers and the specific requirements to be satisfied are listed
under Z4.4.
Z4.3 Special Surveys [*] at maximum intervals of five years. They will normally be performed as part
of the hull Special Survey and/or renewal load line survey.
The scope of Special Survey [*] of hatch covers and the specific requirements to be satisfied are
listed under Z4.5.
Z4.4 Annual Survey
This survey consists of:
1. General
Checking that no unapproved changes have been made to the hatch covers, hatch coamings and
their securing and sealing devices since the last survey.

Note 1:
*
Some member Societies use the term Special Periodical Survey, others use the term Class
Renewal Survey instead of the term Special Survey.
15-6

IACS Rec. 1989/ Rev 2 1997

No. 15

No.
15
cont'd

2. Hatch covers and coamings

2.1 Where mechanically operated steel covers are fitted, checking the satisfactory condition of:
- hatch covers;
- tightness devices of longitudinal, transverse and intermediate cross junctions
(gaskets, gaskets lips, compression bars, drainage channels);
- clamping devices, retaining bars, cleating;
- chain or rope pulleys;
- guides;
- guide rails and track wheels;
- stoppers, etc.;
- wires, chains, gypsies, tensioning devices;
- hydraulic system essential to closing and securing;
- safety locks and retaining devices.
2.2 Where portable covers, wooden or steel pontoons are fitted, checking the satisfactory condition of:
- wooden covers and portable beams, carriers or sockets for the portable beams, and their
securing devices;
- steel pontoons;
- tarpaulins;
- cleats, battens and wedges;
- hatch securing bars and their securing devices;
- loading pads/bars and the side plate edge
- guide plates and chocks;
- compression bars, drainage channels and drain pipes (if any)
2.3 Checking the satisfactory condition of hatch coamings plating and their stiffeners.
2.4 Random checking of the satisfactory operation of mechanically operated hatch covers:
- stowage and securing in open condition;
- proper fit, locking and efficiency of sealing in closed condition;
- operational testing of hydraulic and power components, wires, chains, and link drives.
Z4.5

Special Survey
This survey shall, as a minimum, consist of:
- a thorough inspection of the items listed in Z4.4; and in addition:
- checking of the satisfactory operation of all mechanically operated hatch covers:
stowage and securing in open condition;
proper fit, locking and efficiency of sealing in closed condition;
operational testing of hydraulic and power components, wires, chains, and link drives;
- checking the effectiveness of sealing arrangements of all hatch covers by hose testing or
equivalent as necessary;
- checking the residual thickness of coamings, steel pontoon or hatch cover plating and
stiffening members as deemed necessary by the Surveyor.

Note 2: The entire text of UR Z4 is reproduced and contained in Annex of Recommendation No. 15.
Any subsequent changes to UR Z4 need to be reflected with a corresponding change to the Annex of
Recommendation No. 15.

15-7

IACS Rec. 1997/ Rev 2 1997